Toyota brand mark

2020 Toyota Tacoma problems

A 2020 Toyota Tacoma is now 6 years old, so an average example has covered around 81,000 miles. A mid-run car · most launch faults had been addressed by this point, and wear items are the main risk at this age. Check the state safety inspection and service history alongside the documented faults below, which are sorted by whether a 2020 car has usually reached the mileage where they appear.

Compiled & reviewed by the VehicleFaults Research Team

Quick answer

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma is 6 years old, so an average example has covered roughly 81,000 miles. At that mileage 2 of the documented faults are already due, so check those first.

Faults a 2020 example has usually reached

Documented onset mileage is at or below the ~81k miles an average 2020 car has covered.

DrivetrainLow

Rear differential/CV and driveline vibration.

Typically appears
60,000+ miles
What to inspect
Listen for driveline clunk and feel for vibration at speed.
EngineLow

Occasional carbon buildup on the 3.5L direct-injection V6.

Typically appears
80,000+ miles
What to inspect
Watch for rough idle; ask about intake cleaning.

Faults that appear at any mileage

Age, electronics and build-related issues that are not mileage-driven.

TransmissionMedium

6-speed automatic hunting/lurching at low speeds.

Typically appears
Any
What to inspect
Test-drive in stop-go traffic and feel for erratic shifts or hesitation.
BodyMedium

Bed/frame surface rust in salt regions (earlier Toyotas had frame issues).

Typically appears
Age-related
What to inspect
Inspect the frame and bed underside for corrosion.

Inspecting a 2020 Toyota Tacoma?

Generate a tickable pre-purchase checklist for this exact year, mileage and variant · add photos and notes as you inspect.

Check this exact car

Toyota Tacoma · frequently asked questions

Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Yes — it's known for exceptional durability and resale, with only the transmission feel as a common complaint.

What's wrong with the Tacoma transmission?

The 6-speed auto can hunt between gears at low speed; it's a drivability quirk more than a reliability failure.

Should I check the frame?

Yes — inspect the frame for rust, especially on trucks from salt-belt states.

Other Tacoma model years